Wanderings And Ponderings

The first courthouse—a modest log structure built in 1846—marked Dallas’ rise as the county seat by 1850. Over the next few decades, the courthouse evolved through fires and rebuilds, each version grander than the last. The current and fifth iteration, completed in 1892, was designed by architect M.A. Orlopp of Little Rock and is a striking example of Romanesque Revival architecture. Its red sandstone walls, blue granite base, turrets, and once-looming clock tower made it a symbol of civic pride and resilience. After serving as the hub for county government until 1965, and undergoing renovations in 1968, the building found new life in 2007 as The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture. This museum educated visitors on the diverse cultural, economic, and social stories that shaped the region. And though the museum exhibits are moving to the nearby Dallas County Criminal Courts/Records Building Complex, their mission continues, alongside expanded online resources for public ...